Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

EL PASO - Tomorrow, Saturday, February 21, 2009, beginning at 11 a.m., the office of Senator Eliot Shapleigh and a coalition of El Paso organizations will host "A Day in the Sun: Adios ASARCO, Hello Future," on the University of Texas at El Paso campus.

Students for Reform, Get the Lead Out Coalition (GTLO),  the Regional Economic Development Association and neighborhood associations, along with the Office of Senator Eliot Shapleigh and others, will host the event.

“Now, we can move to a new era of better jobs, clean skies and healthier neighborhoods. Winning this battle with ASARCO is as important to our future as creating the medical school. Since the 1880’s, ASARCO has defined our past—now our talent and aspirations will define our future," Senator Shapleigh said.

The event will celebrate El Paso's grass roots efforts in opposing the smelter's reopening with live music, food and information on local civic groups. Music will be provided by Radio La Chusma.

During the event, Senator Shapleigh will honor former El Paso Mayor Bert Williams. During his tenure as mayor from 1971 to 1973, Williams was one of the city's first elected leaders to challenge ASARCO, after discovering high levels of lead in children near the facility.

"I'm thrilled that the closing of Asarco has finally came to pass. My thanks goes to the various organizations that have worked so hard over these years for something that it not only needed for the students at UTEP, but for all of El Paso, and the communities of Juarez and southern New Mexico," Mayor Williams said. "My thanks go also to Senator Shapleigh for his tireless leadership on this issue. Unfortunately, the fight is not over. A full clean up of the site is absolutely essential to the health of this community. "

"A Day in the Sun: Adios ASARCO, Hello Future" will also feature eight presentations detailing creative prospective uses for the ASARCO site that will benefit job creation and quality of life in our integrated economic region. These presentations were culled from community submissions to the event's Web site, www.regionalidentity.com/adios-asarco.

“'Adios Asarco, Hello Future' proves that El Paso and its student body are actively engaged in the fight for a healthier and more prosperous El Paso and region," said Richard Sapien, a UTEP student and organizer for the event.

During "A Day in the Sun: Adios ASARCO, Hello Future," organizers will collect video testimonials from El Pasoans on their thoughts about ASARCO's closing, and their ideas for what they would like to see on the smelter's site. Videos will be featured on the event's Web site.

For more information on "A Day in the Sun: Adios ASARCO, Hello Future," please visit www.regionalidentity.com/adios-asarco.

Media Note: A full event agenda is attached to this release.

What:             "A Day in the Sun: Adios ASARCO, Hello Future."

When:             On Saturday, February 21, 2009, 11:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m.

Where:           11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.: Presentations in the Union Cinema, UTEP

                        12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Celebration in the Union Plaza, UTEP